Little house on the prairie

Auberge Du Lac in Herdfordshire, boasts a fresh, first Michelin star this year. It seemed a good idea to visit it before the fresh stardust wore off. A very picturesque entry is offered through tall iron gates as you're buzzed inn by the staff. Then a spead of golf course , a lake and trees all around. The restaurant itself is located in a small two storey ex hunting lodge. The decoration inside is one of an old school hotel. Despite the cuisine being french the waiters were refreshingly not all so. It's a very anti casual place. Gentlemen must banish jeans and snickers in favour of black trousers, ladies must arrive in evening wear.
We were offered champagne soon after we sat down. With happy cheer we selected the tasting menu of scallops and other things I simply cannot remember. My poor memory was not the result of a tragic accident but a casualty of boring food. Yes boring. I was so bored I precipitated to wine myself senseless and ordered the bill. No little was my surprise when I realised that we got charged £24 pounds for the champagne that we deemed complementary! Of course this is no court case matter but when one is asked "would you like a glass of champagne" at the beginning of his repas, before even ordering any aperitifs - one usually assumes it is free like in other places.
Looking on the bright side - for those who like a spot of dogging the vast open golf course surrounding the Auberge, with its whispering pines and very few lights provides an excellent evening past time.

Satsuma

My visit to Satsuma in Kentish town was quite remarkable. I'd seen it open a couple of days ago and when I chose to visit I simply couldn't find it. It turned out that day the whole street had a power cut and all the lights were out! The friendly owner suggested we dine by candle light and eat the food that does not require heating. It felt so surreal to dine by mere candle light overlooking a dark street.
We had salmon sashimi, dumplings and salmon teriyaki with rice. The food was fresh and plentiful. Green tea was an excellent ending. Very cute, very value for money. I don't know what Satsuma is like with electricity but it's lovely by candlelight.

Sardinia - mi piace

A taste of Sardinia can be found in Nuraghe at Tufnell Park. You wouldn't think Tufnell park to be a gastro district but Nuraghe makes it such in my eyes. Simple design - hand painted walls, seashore thematics, light wooden chairs and tables - none of the Michelin pomp.
You get a real taste of Italy though - the chef is proper Italian, language speakers can distinctly hear him occasionally bitch at the staff.
The food is great. I've been there numerous times and every time it held the mark. Traditional pasta with meat, spaghetti with clams, fresh tiger prawns, wafer thin pizza, ravioli with walnuts... all make your mouth water. Last time I had one of the specials - a massive mullet. The flesh was tender and succulent and the lemon sauce simple and zesty. Absolutely delicious.
Without a doubt Nuraghe has the best food I've tried in London. Every time I got there I get excited to try something new and be blown away.